Dados do Trabalho

Título

INTERNET ADDICTION AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENTS

Introdução

Addictive behaviors regarding to Internet are becoming more common, once this tool has been essential due to its easiness, enabling home office, entertainment, homeschooling and easy access to information. Despite the easiness brought by technology, the exaggerated use has affected people’s life in different ways, including the development of psychiatric disorders.

Objetivo

The aim of this study was to assess internet addiction, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, attention, impulsivity and stress in N= 48 adolescents (26 girls and 22 boys), aged between 15 and 18, mostly students of public schools, to investigate correlations between the variables above mentioned according to gender and sociodemographic aspects.

Método

So as to investigate the possible correlations, we applied the Internet Addiction Test (IAT), an attention test, SNAP IV scale to assess ADHD symptoms, Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale for adolescents (EDAE-A), Barratt impulsiveness scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The data collection was performed collectively in schools located in the south of Brazil.

Resultados

The results indicated that n=12 were considered addicts to the internet and depression was a predictor of addiction to the internet in regression analysis (p<.001). In addition, participants classified as more addicts had lower averages in general attention (p<.035), while higher averages in behavioral symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity (p<.050), stress (p<.003), anxiety (p<.016) and depression (p<.015), with effect sizes ranging from moderate to high.

Conclusão

In sum, our study indicates a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, inattention, stress, hyperactivity and anxiety in adolescents that presented IA based on the percentile 75 (score=41.75) of the IAT-Total scale. The development of the study promoted reflections on the damage caused by overuse and emphasizes the need for further studies and prevention projects in the area.

Palavras-chave

Behavioral addictions, Psychological disorders, teenagers.